Mobile log-noter

ABSTRACT

A mobile log-noter having a backboard and supply and take-up rolls mounted on the backboard so that paper can be drawn over a central portion of the backboard by winding it from the supply roll onto the take-up roll, and clamps affixed to the backboard for receiving and gripping a projecting portion of a dashboard of a vehicle so that the log-noter can be mounted directly on the dashboard. Notes in the form of a log or memorandum can be recorded on the paper at the central portion of the backboard. The clamps include two plates which are extensible and retractable relative to the backboard and a fastener for holding the plates in a given position of adjustment. One plate may have a hook at its distal end for hooking onto a ventilation opening in the dashboard.

United States Patent [191 Russell [11] 3,780,461 [4 1 Dec. 25, 1973 MOBILE LOG-NOTER [76] Inventor: Theodore B. Russell, 2190 N.E.

124th St., North Miami, Fla. 33161 [22] Filed: Oct. 4, 1972 211 Appl. No.: 294,950

[52] US. Cl. 40/86, 281/6 [51] Int. Cl. G09f 19/02 [58] Field of Search [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,442,855 1/1923 Burnham 40/86 R 1,312,445 8/1919 Johnson 40/86 R Attorney-John H. Oltman et a1.

[ 5 7] ABSTRACT A mobile log-noter having a backboard and supply and take-up rolls mounted on the backboard so that paper can be drawn over a central portion of the backboard by winding it from the supply r011 onto the take-up roll, and clamps affixed to the backboard for receiving and gripping a projecting portion of a dashboard of a vehicle so that the log-noter can be mounted directly on the dashboard. Notes in the form of a log or memorandum can be recorded on the paper at the central portion of the backboard. The clamps include two plates which are extensible and retractable relative to the backboard and a fastener for holding the plates in a given position of adjustment. One plate may have a hook at its distal end for hooking onto a ventilation opening in the dashboard.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures MOBILE LOG-NOTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A person travelling in an automobile or other vehicle sometimes has occasion to keep a log of events occurring from time to time. The driver of the vehicle ordinarily cannot do this while driving if notes have to be recorded in a log book because this would require that he divert his attention from the road. A more practical form of log-noter for use by the driver of a vehicle, whether the vehicle is moving or stationary, would be desirable. Such a log-noter should be capable of being placed in a convenient position for use by the driver.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The log-noter of the present invention attaches directly to a projecting portion of a dashboard of a vehicle so that the rcord portion of the log-noter is presented at a convenient position next to the steering wheel of the vehicle where the driver can easily record notes for a log while he drives. Paper for the log is drawn over the backboard from a supply roll onto a take-up roll, and notes are recorded on the paper at a central portion of the backboard. Clamps are provided for attaching the backboard to the dashboard of the vehicle. There is an upper clamp and a lower clamp which are spaced apart vertically to receive and grip a projecting lip of the dashboard of the vehicle. The upper clamp preferably includes a fixed plate attached to the backboard and a movable plate overlapping the fixed plate so that the movable plate is extensible and retractable relative to the backboard. A fastener holds the movable and fixed plates in a given position of adjustment. The movable plate may have a hook at a distal end thereof for hooking onto an edge at an opening in the dashboard for further securing the device in place. Optionally, the upper and lower clamps may be urged toward each other by a spring for further clamping action. An adjusting device for adjusting clamping action may also be provided.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile log-noter which attaches to a dashboard of a vehicle such as an automobile so that the driver of a vehicle can record notes for a log while drivmg.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lognoter with clamping means which grips a projecting lip of a dashboard of a vehicle to mount a backboard on the dashboard.

Another object of the invention is to mount the backboard at an angle relative to the projecting lip of the dashboard so that the log-noter is presented in a convenient position for recording of notes.

A further object of the invention is to make the clamp adjustable to accommodate different types of dashboards.

Among the other objects of the invention are to provide a mobile log-noter which is rugged, reliable in operation and simple to fabricate; which is easily utilized by a driver of a vehicle while driving; which is compact and capable of being packaged for distribution purposes; and which can be produced on a practical manufacturing basis.

Other objects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile log-noter in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the mobile lognoter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a mobile log-noter in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is an elevational view showing another embodiment.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The mobile log-noter 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is mounted on the dashboard 12 of a vehicle such as an automobile, and in particular, the log-noter is mounted on a projecting lip portion 14 of the dashboard which overhangs the instrument display of the dashboard for protective purposes. The mobile log-noter 10 is preferably mounted directly beside the steering wheel of the vehicle so that a driver can record notes for a log on the lognoter while he is driving.

The log-noter 10 includes a backboard 16 which has opposite ends 18 and 20 and a central portion 22 between the opposite ends. A first mounting bracket 24 projects towards from the upper end 18 of the backboard, and a second mounting bracket 26 projects downward from the lower end 20 of the backboard. The brackets 24 and 26 which are visible in the drawing are on the left side of the backboard 16, and there are identical bracket portions on the right side of the backboard although they are not visible in the drawing. A shaft 28 for a supply paper roll 30 is journalled for rotation in the upper brackets 24 and a shaft 32 for a takeup paper roll 34 is journalled for rotation in the lower brackets 26. Paper from the supply roll 30 is drawn across the central portion 22 of the backboard and is wound up on the take-up roll 34. The central portion 22 is bounded by a raised strip 36 on the upper side and a slot 38 on the lower side. The paper passes under the strip 36, across the central portion 22, and down through the slot 38 to the take-up roll 34. Notes for a log can be recorded on the paper 40 which covers the central portion 22 of the backboard, and paper can be continuously fed from the supply roll and wound up on the take-up roll to keep fresh log paper at the central portion 22.

An upper clamp 42 and a lower clamp 44 are affixed together to the upper end 18 of the backboard 16 as with rivets 46. The upper and lower clamps 42 and 44 are generally planar and are spaced apart sufficiently to receive the projecting lip portion 14 and grip that lip portion so as to hold the backboard 16 in a position projecting out from the dashboard.

The upper clamp 42 consists-of a fixed plate 48 which is attached to the backboard l6, and a movable plate 50 which is extensible and retractable relative to the backboard. The movable plate 50 overlaps the fixed plate 48. There is an elongated slot 52 in movable plate 50, and an opening (not visible) in fixed plate 48 which register with each other. A bolt 54 for a fastener passes through the slot 52 and the registering opening, and a wing nut 56 for the fastener may be tightened to hold the movable plate 50 in a given position of adjustment. Thus, the clamps can be adjusted to accommodate dashboards of different sizes.

The movable plate 50 has a bend at 58 which allows the backboard 16 to be presented at an angle relative to the dashboard. One portion 60 of plate 50 rests in a generally horizontal position on the upper surface of the dashboard, and another portion 62 of plate 50 is at approximately a 45 angle relative to the dashboard so that the backboard 16 is also at a 45 angle.

The distal end of portion 60 has a hook 64 which hooks on to an edge 66 of the dashboard at an opening 68 which may be a ventilation opening. The hook 64 further secures the log-noter in place.

The two clamps 42 and 44 embrace the lip 14, and are urged apart such that the resilience of the metal of which the clamps are made causes the clamps to grip the lip 14 of the dashboard.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 is very similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, so the same reference numerals have been used for like parts except that a prime designation has been utilized in FIG. 3 to differentiate this embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the upper clamp 42' and the lower clamp 44 are urged toward each other by a spring 70. The spring 70' is coiled around a shaft 72' on which the lower clamp 44' is pivoted. The shaft 72' is mounted in brackets 74' affixed to the backboard 16. The biasing action of the spring which urges the lower clamp 44' toward the upper clamp 42 further assures that the upper and lower clamps will grip the projecting portion 14 on the dashboard. In all other respects, the embodiment of FIG. 3 is identical to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, so the description will not be repeated. It may be noted, however, that because of the increased clamping action of the clamps 42' and 44, the hook 64 could be omitted in the embodiment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment similar to FIG. 3, so the same reference numerals hav been used for like parts with the addition of double prime designations. In FIG. 4, the hook has been omitted from the distal end of clamp 42". In its place, an adjusting device 80" is provided. This device includes two plates 82" and 84" pivotally connected together by a hinge 86". The upper plate 82" is affixed to plate 50" as with rivets, and plate 84" is free to pivot. A wing bolt 88" screws through a threaded opening in plate 82" and passes through another opening in plate 50" to engage plate 84". When the bolt 88" is screwed toward plate 84", it pushes this plate away from plate 50", thus tending to make the clamps hold tighter.

Note also that the lower end of clamp 44" or 45" bears against plate 48" when the log noter is attached to the dashboard. End 45" is resilient, and it bends slightly so that the resiliency provides further clamping action. Also, the shafts 32" and 28" are threaded and have nuts 29" and 33" screwed on both ends thereof for two purposes: (1) to allow removal and reversal of the rolls so that a log or memorandum can be written on the reverse side of the paper, and (2) to allow adjustment of the pressure required to rotate the rolls. In all other respects, the embodiment of FIG. 4 is identical to that of FIG. 3.

Thus, the invention provides a mobile log-noter which is especially adapted for use by a driver of a vehicle such as an automobile. The mobile log-noter can be mounted directly on the dashboard of the vehicle and it grips a projecting part of the dashboard so as to present a backboard and paper to the driver of the vehicle in a position such that he can easily write on the paper to record notes for a log. The mobile log-noter includes special provisions for gripping and hooking onto the dashboard of the vehicle to assure that the backboard is firmly anchored in place. The clamps are adjustable, and are easily releasable when it is desired to remove the log-noter from the dashboard. The log-noter is compact, consists of relatively simple parts, and can be produced practically Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a mobile log-noter for use in an automotive vehicle having a dashboard with a rearwardly-projecting lip at the top, said log-noter having a planar board providing a rigid backing and means for supporting at opposite ends thereof a paper supply roll and a paper takeup roll for a web of paper that overlies said board, the improvement which comprises:

a lower clamp operatively connected to said board and projecting transverse thereto at the opposite side of the board from the paper web to extend beneath said lip on the dashboard and engage the bottom side of the dashboard;

an upper plate operatively connected to the upper end of said board and projecting transverse to the board at said opposite side thereof and at a location spaced above said lower clamp to extend across the top of said lip on the dashboard;

engagement means on said upper plate for engagement with the top of the dashboard so as to hold said lower clamp tightly against the underside of the dashboard;

a connecting plate rigidly attached to said board and tending therefrom in the same direction as said upper plate;

and means coupling said upper plate to said connecting plate for selective adjustment of the upper plate relative to said lower clamp,

said lower clamp being resiliently biased upward for snug engagement with the underside of said lip on the dashboard, whereby said lower clamp and said upper plate are adapted to squeeze said lip between the same.

2. A log-noter according to claim 1, wherein said upper plate has a projecting end extending substantially beyond one end of said lower clamp, and said engagement means is at said projecting end of said upper plate.

3. A log-noter according to claim 2, wherein said engagement means is a downwardly and rearwardly projecting lip on the projecting end of said upper plate for engagement in a ventilation opening in the top of the dashboard.

4. A log-noter according to claim 2, wherein said engagement means comprises upper and lower hinged members, one attached to said upper plate and the other separate therefrom, and a threaded bolt acting between said hinged members for selectively forcing them apart.

t =r in 

1. In a mobile log-noter for use in an automotive vehicle having a dashboard with a rearwardly-projecting lip at the top, said log-noter having a planar board providing a rigid backing and means for supporting at opposite ends thereof a paper supply roll and a paper takeup roll for a web of paper that overlies said board, the improvement which comprises: a lower clamp operatively connected to said board and projecting transverse thereto at the opposite side of the board from the paper web to extend beneath said lip on the dashboard and engage the bottom side of the dashboard; an upper plate operatively connected to the upper end of said board and projecting transverse to the board at said opposite side thereof and at a location spaced above said lower clamp to extend across the top of said lip on the dashboard; engagement means on said upper plate for engagement with the top of the dashboard so as to hold said lower clamp tightly against the underside of the dashboard; a connecting plate rigidly attached to said board and extending therefrom in the same direction as said upper plate; and means coupling said upper plate to said connecting plate for selective adjustment of the upper plate relative to said lower clamp, said lower clamp being resiliently biased upward for snug engagement with the underside of said lip on the dashboard, whereby said lower clamp and said upper plate are adapted to squeeze said lip between the same.
 2. A log-noter according to claim 1, wherein said upper plate has a projecting end extending substantially beyond one end of said lower clamp, and said engagement means is at said projecting end of said upper plate.
 3. A log-noter according to claim 2, wherein said engagement means is a downwardly and rearwardly projecting lip on the projecting end of said upper plate for engagement in a ventilation opening in the top of the dashboard.
 4. A log-noter according to claim 2, wherein said engagement means comprises upper and lower hinged members, one attached to said upper plate and the other separate therefrom, and a threaded bolt acting between said hinged members for selectively forcing them apart. 